Tag Archives: endurance

It is known that high reps with lower weight is best suited for muscle endurance while low reps and heavy weight is the best choice for building strength. What about fat loss?

There is plenty of research out there indicating heavy weights and lower reps (which engages Type 2 muscle fibres – fast twitch) is optimal for muscle building and strength. This doesnt mean you can’t build muscle with more reps, however, to build up strength and muscle quicker and more efficiently, low and heavy is by far the way to go. An important idea to remember is that correct form and technique will help too! By ensuring the exercise is being done correctly, you are activating the muscle effectively and in turn, causing more tears in muscle fibre and bigger muscles.

One key piece to note for fat loss is the intensity of your workout. It doesn’t necessarily matter how heavy you are lifting or how many reps you are doing. Instead, having a higher intensity, with less rest between reps (essentially, sweating your butt off) is most effective for fat loss. Lifting weights can also help to increase fat loss. Cardio alone will help one to lose fat, however some muscle is being lost too if you choose strictly cardio. Lifting weights will help in losing fat and building muscle at the same time. Both are almost equally effective at fat loss, if that is your only goal.

Key to both strength and fat loss is your diet! Eating right is the first step to getting your new body! You need to fuel your muscles for them to grow and to have the energy to exercise. Kicking the bad eating habits will help in fat loss (mostly as you are not taking in empty calories, sugar or fats anymore). Its true what they say, Abs are made in the kitchen and your new body is 70% diet and 30% fitness!!!

One always important thing to remember, is which ever method you choose for you exercise regiment, ALWAYS listen to your body. If you need to rest, its OK to take a rest day (or week)!!! Over training and fatigue can lead to injury, which will leave you out even longer!